Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Oh, Vanessa, it’s my pleasure. You’re talented, and I would be stupid not to see that. If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else.”
I nod my thanks and then excuse myself, needing to grab my purse and take an antianxiety pill. Since the workday is over, I walk the five blocks home, needing some fresh air.
On my way, I call Lorenzo, wanting to share my news, but his phone goes straight to voicemail. I try once more, but when I get the robotic greeting, I hang up, disappointed that the one person I want to share my news with isn’t available.
As I’m walking in the door, my phone rings. Only it’s not Lorenzo. It’s Nicole.
“Hey! How’s it going in the rainy city?”
“It’s a beautiful day,” I say with a laugh. “I was able to walk home without getting rained on. And guess what.”
“What?”
“I signed a contract to partner with Kora.”
“Vanessa! That’s amazing,” Nicole says. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as I glance around my apartment.
I signed the biggest contract of my life, yet it feels like nothing has changed.
All I wanted was to secure my future. To make my dreams come true, but now that everything is coming together, it all feels hollow. And I know why that is …
Because what’s the point of your dreams coming true if you can’t celebrate it with the person you love the most?
“Hey, are you okay?” Nicole asks when a sob breaks free.
“No, I don’t think I am,” I whisper. “I …” I glance around my apartment again, and it hits me that this isn’t my home anymore. There aren’t any toys on the floor. The smell of Lorenzo’s delicious food isn’t lingering in the air. Leo’s laughter is amiss. “I think I made a mistake.”
“What? Why?” she asks in confusion. “You had an attorney read the contract, right?”
I did. I still haven’t found one, so I used Lorenzo’s legal team, who assured me that everything was good. But that’s not the mistake I made.
For the first time in my life, I experienced what it was like to be part of a family, to live in a home, filled with love and laughter, and I threw it all away … for what? So I could claim my independence? Prove that I could stand on my own two feet?
“I need to go home.”
“Oh, where are you?” she asks.
“I’m at my apartment …”
“Vanessa, what’s going on?”
“I need to go home,” I repeat, “to Lorenzo and Leo.”
Nicole gasps. “But what about school?”
“I can figure it out.” I rush to my room to start packing a bag. “But this isn’t my home anymore.”
There’s a knock on my door.
“I’ll call you right back.” I hang up and rush to open the door—assuming it’s Destiny since she’s always forgetting her keys—so I can get back to packing and book a flight to Harbor Point.
Only, when I swing open the door, it’s not Destiny. Standing in the doorway is none other than …
“Mama!” Leo squeals, lifting his arms and diving into mine.
My eyes fill with tears as I catch Leo and pull him into my arms.
“Lorenzo,” I breathe out, “what are you doing here?”
“I hadn’t heard from you in a few days, so I figured I’d come check on you,” he says.
“What?” I shriek, feeling like shit for avoiding him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been struggling and—”
My words are cut off by the feeling of his mouth pressing against mine. Instantly, my entire body relaxes as I sigh into the kiss. I knew I was missing him, but I didn’t fully grasp how badly until this moment. Because Lorenzo and Leo aren’t just people I love. They’ve become a part of me.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I step into the apartment and immediately wish I had picked up. Since it’s a dorm through the school, it comes fully furnished, so there’s nothing I can do about that, but when I look around, seeing clothes and food littering the surfaces, I internally groan.
“Show me around,” Lorenzo says, taking in the small space.
“There isn’t really much to see,” I mutter. “This is the living room and kitchen. Destiny’s room is to the left.” I point to her closed door. “And this is my room.”
I step into the small space and cringe, our age difference glaringly obvious right now. While Lorenzo lives in a multimillion-dollar condo in the building he owns, I live in a college dorm.
“Going somewhere?” he asks.
“Huh?” My eyes follow his line of vision to my carry-on luggage. “Actually, I was going to see you.”
Lorenzo’s brows kiss his forehead. “In Harbor Point?”
“Unless you’ve moved somewhere else.” I laugh.
“Actually, we have,” he says, hooking his arm around my waist. “Leo and I have decided to move to Seattle.”
“What?” I gasp. “Why?”
He snorts out a laugh. “Because I love the rain,” he deadpans. “Because you’re here, Wild Card.” He leans in and gives me a chaste kiss. “Because, as my sister said, life is too short to be anything but happy. And I’m the happiest when I’m with you.”